Impact of oral health education program in children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The oral health is an integral part of general well-being in children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study aimed to analyze the impact of oral health education program on children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a specialized center for children with special needs. Institutional Ethical Committee clearance was obtained before starting the study. This study was carried out for 6 months, that is, from March 2024 to August 2024. The study participants, both male and female, were selected from the clinically diagnosed cases and were aged between 6 and 17 years. The total size of the study sample was 200 children, that is, Group A with 100 ADHD patients and Group B with 100 constituted controls. For evaluating the oral health, the World Health Organization’s questionnaire for assessment of oral health in children was used for DMFT/DMFS indices(permanent dentition); dmft and dmfs indices (primary dentition); gingival index (GI) and periodontal index (PI). To determine inter-relationships between oral health indicators and other variables, Bivariate analyses using the Mann–Whitney U test, Student’s t -test, Kruskal–Wallis, and chi-square tests were used. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were noted in DMFT, DMFS, dmft, and dmfs index scores, although significant differences in gingival as well as periodontal indices were observed in Group A (ADHD children). In Group B, no statistically significant difference was observed in any of the studied index scores. CONCLUSION: Providing oral health education to subjects suffering from ADHD is important to maintain oral health, which can help in reducing morbidity.